News Broadcasting
Channel [v]’s ‘Big [v] Concert’ brings performances by Shaggy, Jal, Malkit Singh, Shaan and many more
Mumbai, January 16, 2006… On Sunday evening, 35,000 Mumbaikars came together in celebration of music at the Mentos Big [V] Concert hosted by Channel [v], the country’s No. 1 music channel. The Mentos Big [v] Concert was Mumbai city’s first big music concert of 2006 and guaranteed high power adrenalin rush with 12-hours of non-stop performances from 20 of the biggest and the hottest Indian and International artists.
The show which started at 10 a.m. at B.K.LP (Andheri Sports Complex) featured performances by the international reggae super star – Shaggy, Pakistan’s hottest music sensations – Jal and Rahat Ali Khan and the biggest selling Bhangra artist in the world – Malkit Singh. The concert also featured acts by popular Bollywood and indi-pop artist’s like Shaan, Euphoria, Himesh Reshammiya, Kailash Kher, Shibani Kashyap, Babul Supriyo, Sagarika, Manasi Scott, Sanjay Maroo, Raghav Sachar, Rajiv Goswami, Pankaj Awasthi, [v] Super Singer- Ravindra, Aasma, Band of Boys and Aryans.
Whether it was Summertime or Angel by Shaggy or Woh Lamhe by Jal or Meri Neend by A Band Of Boys or Allah Ke Bandey by Kailash Kher or Himesh Rashammiya’s Ashique Banaya Aapne, the crowd went berserk requesting for more. For a city that is starved of concerts, it was indeed a night when the musical stars glittered in the Mumbai sky, leaving 35,000 people screaming for some more of their music magic.
Each of the artists’ performing were exclusively chosen by the viewers of Channel [v] from their official website www.vindia.com and the concert will be aired on television in the form of an 8-episode mini-series.
The Mentos Big [v] concert is presented by Mentos in association with Kohinoor Televideo, Monginis – the cake shop and Pepsi. On ground partners are Barista and radio partners are GO 92.5 FM.
Channel [V] is Asia’s leading music service provider and currently operates 6 popular television channels in Asia and Australasia – Channel [V] Mainland China, Channel [V] Taiwan, Channel [V] India, Channel [V] Thailand, Channel [V] Australia and Channel [V] International. Channel [V] is seen in more than 45 million homes on a 24-hour basis. Syndication brings the services into 100 million homes. More information on all Channel [V] services can be found on www.channelv.com.
For more on [v] call:
Shiraz / Poonam
Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
Tel: 5656 8787/9821718954
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
